• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    cooler. an ice maker and a refrigerator having the same is disclosed. the refrigerator includes an ice maker on which ice cubes are made, an ejector to unload ice cubes from the ice maker, an ice tank to store the ice cubes discharged from the ejector, an auger to move the cubes of ice in the ice tank, a first drive unit to provide the ejector with rotational force, a second drive unit to provide the auger with rotational force, an emitter to emit optical signals, in order to detect whether or not the ice cubes in the ice tanks are at a full ice level and a receiver to receive the optical signals emitted from the emitter of the emitter, where either the emitter and the receiver is installed in the first handling unit and or another is installed in the second handling unit .
    公开号:BR112013028235B1
    申请号:R112013028235-5
    申请日:2012-04-30
    公开日:2021-02-23
    发明作者:Jin Jeong；Do Hyung Kim；Sang Hyun Park；Yong Sung Yoon；Qasim Khan；Seung Ah Joo
    申请人:Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    TECHNICAL FIELD
    [0001] Modalities of the present disclosure refer to a refrigerator including an optical sensor to detect whether the ice cubes stored in an ice tank are or are not at a full ice level. TECHNICAL FUNDAMENTALS
    [0002] In general, a refrigerator refers to an appliance that preserves food in a refrigerated state using a refrigeration cycle comprised of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator, and also includes an appliance for making ice to make the ice cubes.
    [0003] The ice maker includes an ice maker on which the ice cubes are made, an ejector for discharging the ice tubes from the ice maker, an ice tank to store the unloaded ice cubes from the ice tray, and a controller to control an ice making process, thereby automatically making ice cubes.
    [0004] In this case, the ice maker includes an ice level detection member to detect whether the ice tank is filled, completely with ice cubes, and to determine whether additional ice cubes need to be made. An optical sensor is used as an ice level detection member; and the optical sensor has a transmitter for emitting optical signals and a receiver for receiving optical signals. REVELATION TECHNICAL PROBLEM
    [0005] However, the refrigerator, which generally uses the optical sensor as the ice level detection member, also includes an optical sensor heater in order to prevent the malfunction of the optical sensor due to the ice and fog produced around the sensor. optical. TECHNICAL SOLUTION
    [0006] Therefore, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having an improved structure so as not to require a conventional optical sensor heater for fog prevention while using an optical sensor to detect an ice level from a deposit of ice. ice.
    [0007] Additional aspects of the invention will be presented in part in the description below and, in part, will be evident from the description, or can be learned by practicing the invention.
    [0008] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator includes an ice maker on which ice cubes are made, an ejector for discharging ice cubes from the ice maker, an ice container for store the ice cubes discharged by the ejector, an auger to move the ice cubes in the ice tank, a first movement unit to provide the ejector with rotational force, a second movement unit to provide the auger with rotational force, an emitter to emit optical signals in order to detect whether or not the ice cubes in the ice tank are at a full ice level, and a receiver to receive the optical signals emitted from the emitter, whereby either the emitter and the receiver it is installed on the first handling unit, and the other is installed on the second handling unit.
    [0009] The first handling unit can be arranged in front of the ice maker, and the second handling unit can be arranged behind the ice container.
    [00010] Any of the emitter and receiver can be installed in a lower rear portion of the first handling unit, and the other can be installed in a upper front portion of the second handling unit.
    [00011] The first handling unit may include a first motor to generate rotational force, a first housing to accommodate the first motor and a first receiving portion of an optical sensor arranged on an internal surface of the first housing to install the emitter or receiver .
    [00012] The first handling unit can also include a controller that is accommodated in the first housing to control the processes of making ice.
    [00013] The first housing can be formed, on its surface, with an opening portion so that the emitter or receiver installed in the first receiving portion of the optical sensor is exposed to the external side.
    [00014] The first optical sensor receiving portion may include a first support portion that projects from an internal side surface of the first housing and a first optical sensor receiving space formed within the first support portion.
    [00015] The first receiving portion of the optical sensor may also include projections projecting from the opposite internal side surfaces of the first support portion to support the emitter or receiver.
    [00016] The second drive unit may include a second motor to generate rotational force, a second housing to accommodate the second motor, and a second optical sensor receiving portion disposed on a surface of the second housing to install the emitter or receiver .
    [00017] The second optical sensor receiving portion may include a second support portion that projects from an external lateral surface of the second housing and a second optical sensor receiving space formed within the second support portion.
    [00018] The refrigerator can also include a blower to define a passage of cold air circulation in an ice-making chamber, in which the emitter and receiver can be positioned in the circulation passage.
    [00019] The refrigerator may also include an ice depositing element provided in the ice making chamber in order to induce the deposition of ice on the ice depositing element itself.
    [00020] The refrigerator may also include a refrigerant tube to allow at least a portion of it to contact the ice tray to supply the ice chamber with cold air, in which the ice chamber may include heat exchange ribs that protrude from a lower portion of the ice maker.
    [00021] The ice tank element may include a heat exchanger provided in the ice chamber to supply the ice chamber with cold air.
    [00022] The ice deposit element may include ice deposit plates provided in the ice maker.
    [00023] The refrigerator may further include a main body, a storage chamber provided inside the main body while being opened on its front face, and an ice-making chamber, provided inside the storage chamber.
    [00024] According to another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator having a storage chamber, an ice-making chamber, provided with the storage chamber, an ice-making tray in which the ice cubes are made, a deposit of ice to store the ice cubes discharged from the ice tray, and an optical sensor to detect whether or not the ice cubes in the ice tank are at a full ice level, where the optical sensor includes an emitter for emitting optical signals and a receiver to receive the optical signals emitted from the emitter, and the emitter and receiver are installed in a high temperature part having a relatively high temperature in the ice maker.
    [00025] The high temperature part may include a first handling unit to discharge the ice cubes into the ice tank.
    [00026] The first handling unit can include a controller to control the processes of making ice.
    [00027] The high temperature part may include a second handling unit for moving the ice cubes in the ice tank.
    [00028] The ice chamber can be formed with a cold air circulation passage, and the emitter and receiver can be positioned in the circulation passage.
    [00029] The cooler may also include an ice deposit element provided in the ice chamber in order to induce the deposition of ice on the ice deposit element itself.
    [00030] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator includes an ice maker on which ice cubes are made, an ejector for discharging ice cubes from the ice maker, an ice tank for store the ice cubes provided from the ice tray, an auger to move the ice cubes in the ice tank, a first handling unit mounted on one side in a longitudinal direction of the ice tray in order to trigger the ejector, a second movement unit mounted on one side in a longitudinal direction of the ice tank while being mounted to be arranged on the opposite side to the first movement unit in order to drive the auger, an emitter to emit optical signals in order to detect whether or not the ice cubes in the ice tank are at a full ice level, and a receiver to receive the optical signals emitted from the emitter, where any of the emitter and receiver is installed on a lower end of the first handling unit, and the other is installed on an upper end of the second handling unit.
    [00031] The transmitter and receiver can be installed facing each other.
    [00032] The emitter and receiver can be installed in a diagonal direction to extend a detection range.
    [00033] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, an ice maker may include an ice maker in which the ice cubes are made, an ice tank for storing the ice cubes discharged from the ice tray. making ice, a first movement unit that provides rotational force to unload ice cubes from the ice tray, a second movement unit that provides rotational force to move ice cubes in the ice tank, and an optical sensor to detect whether or not the ice cubes in the ice tank are at a full ice level, where the optical sensor includes a transmitter for emitting optical signals and a receiver for receiving optical signals emitted from the emitter, and any of the sender and receiver is installed on the first handling unit, and the other is installed on the second handling unit. ADVANTAGE EFFECTS
    [00034] As is evident from the description above, as a conventional optical sensor heater is unnecessary, the apparatus for making ice, and the refrigerator including the same; according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, they can have the following diverse effects.
    [00035] First, the production costs of the products are reduced.
    [00036] Second, control logic to control the optical sensor heater is unnecessary.
    [00037] Thirdly, as there is no failure related to the optical sensor heater, product reliability is improved.
    [00038] Fourth, as there is no energy consumption due to the optical sensor heater, the energy consumption is reduced.
    [00039] Fifth, the space efficiency in the ice chamber is enhanced by a compact ice level detection structure.
    [00040] Furthermore, according to the exemplary modalities of the present invention, as the emitter and receiver that make up the optical sensors are installed in the first and second movement unit of the ice maker instead of a separate structure, a process separate additional mounting for optical sensors is unnecessary, thereby improving ease of assembly and facilitating mass production. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [00041] These and / or other aspects of the invention will become evident and more easily considered from the following description of the modalities, considered together with the attached drawings of which: Figure 1 is a front view illustrating a refrigerator according to a exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view illustrating the refrigerator shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating an ice maker shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a sectional view illustrating the ice maker shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a view to explain an ice level detection process of the ice making apparatus shown in Figure 2; Figure 6 is a sectional view showing an ice maker in which the ice maker of Figure 2 is installed; Figure 7 is an enlarged view illustrating a first optical sensor receiving portion shown in Figure 4; Figure 8 is an enlarged view illustrating a second optical sensor receiving portion shown in Figure 4; Figure 9 is a sectional view illustrating an apparatus for making ice according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 10 is a sectional view illustrating an ice making apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. MODE FOR THE INVENTION
    [00042] Reference will now be made in detail to the modalities of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference numerals refer from beginning to end to similar elements.
    [00043] Figure 1 is a front view illustrating a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a sectional view illustrating the refrigerator shown in Figure 1.
    [00044] Next, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. For reference, the refrigerator, which is designated by reference numeral 1, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention refers to the so called a French door type refrigerator (FDR), which is provided, in its upper portion, with a refrigeration chamber that is opened and closed by a pair of doors while being provided, in its lower portion, with a freezing chamber drawer type. However, it should be understood that the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to the French door type refrigerator, but can also be applied to various types of refrigerators such as a side-by-side refrigerator, a bottom mounted freezer type refrigerator (BMF), a top-mounted freezer type refrigerator (TMF), a four-door type refrigerator, etc.
    [00045] The refrigerator 1 includes a main body 2, storage chambers 3 and 4 provided in the main body 2, doors 5 and 6 for opening and closing storage chambers 3 and 4, respectively, an ice-making chamber 40, a ice maker 42 provided in the ice maker 40, a refrigeration cycle 20 for supplying cold air and a dispenser 30 for removing the ice cubes to the outside without opening each of the doors 5 or 6.
    [00046] The storage chambers, 3 and 4, are divided into chambers: upper and lower, by a horizontal, dividing wall, so that the main body 2 is provided, in its upper portion, with a cooling chamber 3 ; while being provided in its lower portion with a freezing chamber 4.
    [00047] The cooling chamber 3 can be provided with at least one shelf 9 on which the food is placed.
    [00048] The doors, 5 and 6, are comprised of a pair of refrigeration chamber doors 5 and a freezing chamber door 6, respectively, and the refrigeration chamber doors 5 open and close a front face of the refrigeration chamber. cooling 3. The doors of the cooling chamber 5 are coupled, hinged on opposite sides of the main body 2 so that they can rotate forward, respectively. Each chamber and cooling door 5 can be provided, on its front surface, with a cooling chamber door handle 7 that extends along the length in the up and down directions to open and close the cooling door 5 .
    [00049] The freezer chamber door 6 is provided with a type of drawer, and is mounted on the main body 2 so that it is retractable and can be removed in a sliding way. The freezing chamber door 6 is provided, on its front surface, with a freezing chamber door handle 8 to open and close the freezing chamber door 6.
    [00050] Meanwhile, the cooling chamber 3 is provided, on one side of its upper portion, with the ice chamber 40 being divided by an ice chamber housing 41. The ice maker 42 is arranged in the ice maker 40 to make ice cubes.
    [00051] The ice making apparatus 42 includes a first movement unit 100, a second movement unit 120, a transmitter 150 for emitting optical signals to detect an ice level, and a receiver 151 for receiving optical signals, and this will be described in detail below.
    [00052] Here, the transmitter 150 can be installed in the first handling unit 100, while the receiver 151 can be installed in the second handling unit 120.
    [00053] The refrigeration cycle 20 is constituted to independently supply refrigerant to each of the refrigeration chamber 3, the freezing chamber 4 and the ice-making chamber 40. The main body 2 is provided, on one side of a portion thereof bottom, with a compressor 21 for compressing the refrigerant while being provided, on its rear face, with a condenser 22 for condensing the compressed refrigerant. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 22 can flow through a passage selectively switched by a switching valve 23.
    [00054] When the passage is directed towards a second expansion valve 25, the refrigerant expanded through the second expansion valve 25 passes sequentially through a cooling chamber evaporator 26 and a freezing chamber evaporator 27 so to be supplied to each of the refrigeration chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 4.
    [00055] Cold air generated by the cooling chamber evaporator 26 is supplied to the cooling chamber 3 through a cooling chamber cold air supply duct 13. Cold air from the cooling chamber cold air supply duct 13 it is blown into the cooling chamber 3 through a cold air outlet of the cooling chamber 15 by means of a cooling chamber blower 14.
    [00056] On the other hand, the cold air generated by the freezing chamber evaporator 27 is supplied to the freezing chamber 4 through a freezing chamber cold air supply duct 16.
    [00057] The cold air from the ice chamber cold air supply duct 16 is blown into the freezing chamber 4 through a freezing chamber cold air outlet 18 via a freezing chamber blower 17.
    [00058] However, when the passage is directed to a first expansion valve 24, the refrigerant expanded through the first expansion valve 24 is guided and supplied to the ice chamber 40, and is then guided to the evaporator of the refrigeration chamber. 26 and again for the freezing chamber evaporator 27.
    [00059] Here, a refrigerant tube 28 for supplying refrigerant is comprised, in a portion thereof, of an ice maker refrigerant tube 29 which passes through the interior of the ice maker 40. The ice maker refrigerant tube 29 contacts a lower portion of an ice maker 50 to directly cool the ice maker 50.
    [00060] The dispenser 30 includes a withdrawal space 31, formed so that a corresponding door of the cooling chamber doors 5 is lowered in a portion of its front surface, a discharge path 34 to guide the ice cubes from from the icemaker 40 to the withdrawal space 31, a withdrawal outlet 33 formed at an outlet of the discharge path 34, and an opening and closing member 32 for opening and closing the withdrawal outlet 33.
    [00061] Consequently, a user can easily remove the ice cubes made by the appliance to make ice 42 without opening doors 5.
    [00062] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the ice maker in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a sectional view illustrating the ice maker shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a view to explain a process ice level detection of the icemaker shown in Figure 2. Figure 6 is a sectional view illustrating the icemaker in which the icemaker of Figure 2 is installed.
    [00063] In Figures 5 and 6, the reference numeral “152” refers to ice cubes. The dotted lines in Figure 5 refer to a straight optical path between the emitter 150 and the receiver 151.
    [00064] Next, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described further with reference to Figures 3 to 6. The ice maker 42 includes an ice maker 50, an ejector 60, an ice tank 80, an auger 81 , an ice blower 43, a first handling unit 100, and a second handling unit 120.
    [00065] The ice maker 50 serves as a container in which the ice cubes are made, and is opened on its upper side to provide water. The ice maker 50 has several ice maker slots 51, formed in a substantially semicircular sectional shape.
    [00066] The ice maker 50 is formed, on its side, with a water supply portion 56 to supply the ice maker grooves 51 with water.
    [00067] The ice maker 50 is provided at an angle with a plurality of sliders 55 so that the ice cube made in the ice maker 50 is defrosted and slides downwards. Sliders 55 are formed so that they are spaced longitudinally from each other by a predetermined gap.
    [00068] The ice maker 50 can be made of a metal material that has high thermal conductivity to directly cool the water received in the ice maker grooves 51. The ice maker 50 is formed on opposite sides of its own lower portion, with grooves for placing the icing refrigerant tube 54 so as to come into contact with the icing refrigerant tube 29 which passes through the icing chamber 40.
    [00069] In addition, the ice tray 50 is formed, in a central area of its lower portion, with a plurality of heat exchange ribs 57 projecting from its lower portion. Due to such a configuration, as the ice tray 50 itself absorbs the heat of evaporation from the refrigerant, ice-making of the direct cooling type is carried out, thereby enabling the ice cubes to be made quickly.
    [00070] However, as each of the heat exchange ribs 57 formed in the ice maker 50 has the lowest temperature in the ice maker 40, ice tends to be deposited on the heat exchange rib 57 compared to other ice-making devices of the ice-chamber 40. That is, the heat exchange rib 57 serves as an ice deposit element to prevent ice from being deposited on other devices or regions by inducing ice deposition on the ice itself heat exchange rib 57.
    [00071] In addition, ice removal heater seat grooves 53 are formed between each ice coolant pipe seat groove 54 and the corresponding heat exchange rib 57 in order to seat the de-icing heaters 52, respectively. The de-icing heaters 52 allow the ice cubes to be easily separated by applying heat to the ice maker 50 during the separation of the ice cubes made in the ice maker 50 from the ice maker 50.
    [00072] In addition, a drainage duct 70 having a plate shape is provided under the ice maker 50 to discharge the water produced when the ice deposited on the ice maker 50 is defrosted. The drain duct 70 is arranged to be slightly separated from the lower portion of the ice tray 50 so that a portion of a cold air circulation passage 44 is defined between the ice tray 50 and the drain duct 70.
    [00073] However, the ejector 60 serves to separate and discharge the ice cubes from the ice maker 50, and includes a rotational axis of the ejector 61, arranged along a longitudinal direction in a central area of the maker tray. ice 50 and a plurality of ejector fins 62 projecting toward the ice making slots 51 from the ejector rotational axis 61.
    [00074] The rotational shaft of the ejector 61 rotates through the provision of rotational force from the first drive unit 100 described below. In that case, each of the ejector fins 62 is advanced, at one end thereof, along an internal periphery of the corresponding ice-making slot 51 so that the ice cubes made in the ice-making slot 51 are pushed and unloaded at from the ice making slot 51. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first handling unit 100 is arranged in front of the ice making tray 50.
    [00075] The ice container 80 has a substantially box-like opening in its upper face to receive and store the ice cubes discharged from the ice maker 50 by the ejector 60, and is provided under the ice maker ice 50.
    [00076] The ice tank 80 is provided, on its side, with an ice crusher 90 to finely crush the ice cubes stored in the ice tank 80, and the ice crusher 90 is formed, on its underside , with a discharge opening 91 which communicates with the discharge path 34 (see Figure 2) of the dispenser 30 in order to discharge the crushed ice cubes to the dispenser 30 (see Figure 2).
    [00077] In addition, ice bin 80 is arranged with auger 81 to move ice cubes stored in ice bin 80 towards ice crusher 90. Although described below, auger 81 rotates through the provision of forces rotationally from the second handling unit 120 arranged at the rear of the ice tank 80 to move the ice cubes forward.
    [00078] The ice blower (or blower) 43 is used to circulate cold air in the ice chamber 40 and defines the passage of cold air circulation 44. The ice blower 43 is surrounded by an ice blower casing 47 which is formed in its lower portion with an inlet 45 while being formed in its front part with an outlet 46, such that cold air is sucked in from the lower portion of the casing ice blower blower 46 and is discharged to the front of the ice blower blower housing 47.
    [00079] As shown in Figure 4, the cold air discharged passes between the ice maker 50 and the drain duct 70 and flows forward until reaching the ice crusher 90, and then flows back again.
    [00080] In addition, as shown in Figure 6, cold air flows forward between the ice maker 50 and the drain duct 70 and in the course of the flow the cold air simultaneously flows towards the ice tank 80 positioned under the ice maker 50, thereby enabling the ice maker 40 to be cooled in three dimensions.
    [00081] Although described below, the second handling unit 120 is positioned immediately under the ice blower 43. Consequently, as the air flows relatively and by force around the second handling unit 120, the deposition and development of ice and mist can be avoided around the second handling unit 120.
    [00082] The first drive unit 100 serves as a device to provide the ejector 60 with rotational force and rotate the ejector 60. The first drive unit 100 can include a controller 104 to control processes such as water supply, fabrication of ice, de-icing, ice level detection and the like. Controller 104 may include a heating element to radiate heat.
    [00083] The first drive unit 100 includes a first motor 102 to generate rotational force, a first housing 101 and a first receiving portion of optical sensor 103.
    [00084] The first motor 102 serves as a device to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy through electromagnetic induction, and generates rotational force in order to transfer the rotational force to the rotational shaft of the ejector 61.
    [00085] The first housing 101 is formed in a substantially box format to accommodate the first motor 102 and the controller 104.
    [00086] The first receiving portion of optical sensor 103 is provided to install the emitter 150 or receiver 151, and this will be described in detail below.
    [00087] The second drive unit 120 includes a second motor 122 for generating rotational force, a second housing 121, and a second receiving portion of optical sensor 123.
    [00088] The second motor 122 serves as a device to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy through electromagnetic induction, and generates rotational force in order to transfer the rotational force to the auger 81.
    [00089] The second housing 121 is formed in a substantially box format to accommodate the second motor 122.
    [00090] The second optical sensor receiving portion 123 is provided to install the emitter 150 or receiver 151, similar to the first optical sensor receiving portion 103. This will be described in detail below.
    [00091] The first and second engines 102 and 122 simultaneously radiate heat during the generation of rotational force. Consequently, the first and second handling units 100 and 120 correspond to the relatively high temperature parts in the ice chamber 40.
    [00092] Meanwhile, the ice maker 42 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention also includes optical sensors 150 and 151 to detect the ice level of the ice tank 80. The optical sensors 150 and 151 are comprised of the emitter 150 to emit optical signals and the receiver 151 to receive the optical signals emitted from the emitter 150.
    [00093] The emitter 150 and receiver 151 are installed in the ice maker 40 so that the straight optical path between them substantially corresponds to a height when the ice tank 80 is completely filled with ice cubes. In particular, the emitter 150 and receiver 151 are installed in the first and second handling units 100 and 120 respectively, which are relatively high temperature parts in the ice chamber 40, in order to prevent optical signals from being erroneously detected by the closing or distortion due to fog and ice.
    [00094] While showing that the emitter 150 is installed in the first drive unit 100 and the receiver 151 is installed in the second drive unit 120 in the drawings, it is natural that the emitter 150 can be installed in the second drive unit 120 and the receiver 151 can be installed on the first handling unit 100.
    [00095] However, as the emitter 150 and receiver 151 are arranged facing each other so that the straight optical path can be formed between them, the emitter 150 is installed in a lower rear portion of the first drive unit 100 to the whereas the receiver 151 is installed in an upper front portion of the second handling unit 120.
    [00096] In addition, emitter 150 and receiver 151 can be installed in a diagonal direction to enlarge or increase a detection range.
    [00097] As an example, when the emitter 150 is installed on one side in a latitudinal direction of the lower rear portion of the first handling unit 100, the receiver 151 can be installed on the other side in a latitudinal direction of the upper front portion of the second drive unit 120.
    [00098] Here, the emitter 150 can be installed to be arranged on an internal surface of the first housing 101 in order to easily receive heat from the first motor 102 and the controller 104 by convection. The receiver 151 can be installed to be arranged on a surface of the second housing 121 so as to be positioned in the cold air circulation passage 44 and to prevent the development of fog and ice by forced flow of cold air.
    [00099] However, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is not limited to that. Consequently, the emitter 150 and receiver 151 can be installed respectively in parts to additionally prevent the development of fog and ice between the internal surfaces, on the surfaces, or on the surface and internal surface of the first and second housing 101 and 121, respectively, considering generally the effect of heat transfer through convection and effected by the flow of cold air circulation.
    [000100] Figure 7 is an enlarged view illustrating the first optical sensor receiving portion shown in Figure 4. Figure 8 is an enlarged view illustrating the second optical sensor receiving portion shown in Figure 4.
    [000101] The first and second receiving portion of optical sensor 103 and 123 will be described below with reference to Figures 7 and 8.
    [000102] The first and second receiving portion of optical sensor 103 and 123 can be provided in various configurations. However, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first optical sensor receiving portion 103 is provided on a surface of the first housing 101 and includes a first support portion 106 and a first optical sensor receiving space 107.
    [000103] The first support portion 106 projects from an internal lateral surface of the first housing 101, while being formed with the first receiving space of optical sensor 107 in that place.
    [000104] Although the emitter 150 is installed in the first optical sensor receiving space 107 in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention as described above, the receiver 151 can be installed in the first optical sensor receiving space 107.
    [000105] Here, the first optical sensor receiving portion 103 further includes projections 108 that project towards the first optical sensor receiving space 107 from the opposite inner side surfaces of the first support portion 106.
    [000106] The projections 108 support the emitter 150 or receiver 151 accommodated in the first receiving space of optical sensor 107 and simultaneously minimize a contact area between the emitter 150 or receiver 151 and the first housing 101 in order to allow minimum heat be transferred through driving.
    [000107] This is because the first housing 101 has, in its internal portion, a high temperature due to the heat generated from the first motor 102 and the controller 104, but the first housing 101 itself may have a low temperature due to the effects of cold outside air.
    Consequently, according to such a configuration of the projections 108, the emitter 150 or receiver 151 installed in the first receiving portion of optical sensor 103 can minimize the heat transfer to the first housing 101.
    [000109] However, the first housing 101 is formed, on its surface, with an opening portion 105 so that the emitter 150 or receiver 151 installed in the first optical sensor receiving portion 103 is exposed outside the first housing 101.
    [000110] The second optical sensor receiving portion 123 is provided on the surface of the second housing 121 and includes a second support portion 124 and a second optical sensor receiving space 125.
    [000111] The second support portion 124 projects from an external side surface of the second housing 121 while being formed with the second optical sensor receiving space 125 there.
    [000112] The second receiving space of optical sensor 125 accommodates the emitter 150 or the receiver 151.
    [000113] Figure 9 is a sectional view illustrating an apparatus for making ice according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Next, similar reference numerals will refer to similar elements and no description will be provided with respect to the same configuration as the previous embodiment in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
    [000114] With reference to Figure 9, the ice maker 142 and the refrigerator including it, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is arranged with a heat exchanger 130 only for the ice maker, instead of the refrigerant pipe to directly supply the cold air by contacting the ice maker 50. That is, the ice maker 142 has an indirect cooling type configuration using the heat exchanger 130.
    [000115] Despite such a configuration, the transmitter 150 can be installed in the first drive unit 100 and the receiver 151 can be installed in the second drive unit 120, to prevent the error detection of the transmitter 150 and receiver 151 due to fog and ice. Of course, transmitter 150 and receiver 151 can also be installed reversibly.
    [000116] In that case, the heat exchanger 130 for the ice chamber serves only as an ice deposit element to prevent ice from being deposited on other devices or regions by inducing the deposition of ice on the heat exchanger 130 itself.
    [000117] Figure 10 is a sectional view illustrating an apparatus for making ice according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Next, similar reference numerals will refer to similar elements and no description will be made with respect to the same configuration as the previous embodiment in this exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
    [000118] Referring to Figure 10, the ice maker 242 and the refrigerator including it, in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, includes an ice chamber cold air supply duct 140 for pulling the cold air from another storage chamber except for the ice chamber.
    [000119] Cold air introduced through the ice-chamber cold air supply duct 140 flows out into another storage chamber again through a separate ice-chamber cold air discharge duct (not shown), thus allowing circulation.
    [000120] The transmitter 150 can be installed in the first drive unit 100 and the receiver 151 can be installed in the second drive unit 120, to prevent error detection of the transmitter 150 and receiver 151 due to fog and ice. Of course, transmitter 150 and receiver 151 can also be installed reversibly.
    [000121] The ice maker 242 can function as a mist deposition member and include sheets for ice deposition only.
    权利要求:
    Claims (15)
    [0001]
    1. REFRIGERATOR, comprising: an ice-making tray (50) in which ice cubes are made; an ejector (60) to discharge the ice cubes from the ice maker (50); an ice tank (80) for storing the ice cubes discharged by the ejector (60); an auger (81) for moving the ice cubes in the ice tank (80); a first drive unit (100) to provide the ejector (60) with rotational force; a second drive unit (120) to provide the auger (81) with rotational force; an emitter (150) for emitting optical signals to detect whether the ice cubes in the ice tank (80) are at a full ice level; and a receiver (151) for receiving the optical signals emitted by the emitter (150): characterized by any one of the emitter (150) and the receiver (151) is installed in the first handling unit (100) and the other is installed in the second handling unit (120).
    [0002]
    2. Refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: the first handling unit (100) is arranged in front of the ice maker tray (50); and the second handling unit (120) is arranged behind the ice tank.
    [0003]
    3. Refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that: any of the emitter (150) and the receiver (151) is installed in a lower rear portion of the first handling unit (100); and the other being installed in an upper front portion of the second handling unit (120).
    [0004]
    4. Refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that the first handling unit (100) comprises: a first motor to generate rotational force; a first housing to accommodate the engine first; and a first optical sensor receiving portion disposed on an internal surface of the first housing to install the emitter (150) or the receiver (151).
    [0005]
    5. Refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that the first handling unit (100) still comprises a controller which is accommodated in the first housing to control ice making processes.
    [0006]
    6. Refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that the first housing is formed, on a surface of the same, with an opening portion so that the emitter (150) or the receiver (151) installed in the first receiving portion optical sensor is exposed to the outside.
    [0007]
    7. Refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that the first optical sensor receiving portion comprises: a first support portion that projects from an internal lateral surface of the first housing; and a first optical sensor receiving space formed within the first support portion.
    [0008]
    8. Refrigerator according to claim 7, characterized in that the first receiving portion of the optical sensor still comprises projections which protrude from opposite internal side surfaces of the first support portion to support the emitter (150) or the receiver (151 ).
    [0009]
    9. Refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that the second handling unit (120) comprises: a second motor for generating rotational force; a second housing to accommodate the second engine; and a second optical sensor receiving portion disposed on a surface of the second housing to install the emitter (150) or receiver (151).
    [0010]
    10. Refrigerator according to claim 9, characterized in that the second optical sensor receiving portion comprises: a second support portion which protrudes from an external side of the second housing; and a second optical sensor receiving space formed within the second support portion.
    [0011]
    11. Refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a blower for circulating cold air to define a passage of cold air circulation in an ice-making chamber, in which the emitter (150) and the receiver (151) are positioned in the circulation passage.
    [0012]
    Refrigerator according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises an ice deposit element (80) provided in the ice making chamber to induce deposition of ice on the ice deposit element itself (80).
    [0013]
    13. Refrigerator according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises a refrigerant tube to allow at least a portion of it to contact the ice maker (50) to supply the ice maker with cold air , wherein the ice deposit element (80) comprises heat exchange ribs which protrude from a lower portion of the ice maker tray (50).
    [0014]
    14. Refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a main body; a storage chamber provided inside the main body, although it is open on a front face thereof; and an ice chamber provided inside the storage chamber.
    [0015]
    15. Refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that the emitter (150) and receiver (151) are installed in a diagonal direction to increase a detection range.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    CA2835002A1|2012-11-08|
    EP2520878B1|2018-09-19|
    KR20120124324A|2012-11-13|
    US9506680B2|2016-11-29|
    CA2835002C|2016-02-09|
    CN102767932A|2012-11-07|
    RU2552044C2|2015-06-10|
    CN102767932B|2016-03-16|
    EP2520878A2|2012-11-07|
    RU2013148932A|2015-05-10|
    WO2012150785A1|2012-11-08|
    AU2012251252B2|2015-08-27|
    MX345093B|2017-01-17|
    US20120279240A1|2012-11-08|
    BR112013028235A2|2017-01-17|
    MX2013012794A|2014-06-23|
    KR101523251B1|2015-05-28|
    EP2520878A3|2017-11-29|
    AU2012251252A1|2013-11-21|
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    法律状态:
    2018-12-11| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2019-12-31| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2020-12-08| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-02-23| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 30/04/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    KR10-2011-0042164|2011-05-03|
    KR1020110042164A|KR101523251B1|2011-05-03|2011-05-03|Ice making apparatus and refrigerator having the same|
    PCT/KR2012/003334|WO2012150785A1|2011-05-03|2012-04-30|Ice making apparatus and refrigerator having the same|
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